Take 5: Cas Valk
Due to the coronavirus we have some extra time to speak to riders, today that is Cas Valk! After winning the KNMV ONK and KNMV DMofMX 85cc title, Valk will switch to 2020cc in 125. He also looks back on 2019 with us!
You can only be satisfied with winning two titles in one season, right?
Cas Valk: “Yes, I am very satisfied! Winning the 2 titles naturally gives a special feeling. It was not actually the intention to finish the ONK 85 after the European Championship and World Cup finals. These plans were changed after the matches in Loket and Arco di Trento and with success. I still rode the last four races on the 85cc and was able to win an 'extra' title."
The qualifying competitions for the EMX85 went well. You came seventh in the final, a disappointment?
Falcon: “The qualifying competitions certainly did not go smoothly. There were good races but also problems such as during the race in Lommel where the engine would not run properly. I had certainly hoped for a good result for the EMX final, but everything turned out differently due to a crash on the first lap of the first moto. In the second moto I was keen on a good result, but the crash in the first moto still played tricks on me. In retrospect, we should have also competed in these races with the 65cc to have extra experience in this area, but then we chose a different path.”
The Youth World Cup in Italy did not go smoothly either, you came 15th in Arco di Trento. Tell us how that weekend went?
Falcon: “Driving didn't go well all weekend, really too tense. The same actually applies here for the EMX final. I should have already experienced this on the 65cc, I just lacked experience during these events. While others have raced everything in Europe for many years, this was my first year to participate in all the competitions. Because the driving was not going well, I fell several times, the pressure was simply too high at that moment. I just couldn't put this aside. All riders have a weekend like that sometimes, but for me it came at the wrong time of the season.”
Children usually take up cross-country racing because their father raced in his youth. How is that for you?
Falcon:“That is also the case with us. In his youth, my father always raced and later he started jet skiing at Dutch level. My mother also spent a lot of time on the Jet Ski and I actually didn't want to go racing at all! When I was eight, I got on a motorcycle and it went well straight away. After that I did everything with our family, we deliberately did everything together without trainers or many people around us. Due to the busy work in my parents' own business, it is difficult for us to train during the week. Then it is of course extra fun to win, which gives something extra to all our family efforts.”
What does your program look like in 2020? What is your goal for 2020, when will this season be successful?
Falcon: “We have no goals at all for 2020. That was already the case, but due to the injury they have faded even further into the background. During a spring competition in Italy I broke my hip, which changed everything. I can now walk normally again and I have started fitness training. When the problems with the coronavirus have diminished, I hope to be able to resume motorcycle training. It is a great pity that the Dutch Masters of Motocross will be canceled this year. I don't know yet what we will ride next to the EMX125. We may choose the ADAC MX Masters with Team TBS Conversions KTM. I expect to be able to ride all the other EMX125 races. I'm going here with my mechanic Jelmer and the entire Team TBS, I'm really looking forward to it and I definitely want to score a few more points in the European Championships this season.”
Would you like to add anything to this conversation?
Falcon: “For last season I would like to thank Ties Pol Motors and the JimmyJoe Riding Factory. Thanks to their efforts, I was able to get back on a Husqvarna and that gave me both titles. For this year I would like to thank Tom, Suvi and Jeroen Punt (KTM Netherlands) because the opportunity I am now getting is very special. Finally, I would like to add that I will continue my new school year in Arnhem and work on my fitness at Papendal under the guidance of Barry Forschellen with support from the KNMV. Thank you to all the people and sponsors around me! I hope to meet everyone again soon at the circuits.”
Thank you for this conversation and good luck! We will continue to follow you!
Falcon: "Thank you!"
Door: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photos: #NiekFotografie, MXGrietje MXpics
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